The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

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284 PARADISE. Cajtto vn. And here within this planet's pearly bowers Shins the light of Borneo, whose high deed Was ill acknowledged by the worldly powers. But the Proven9als did not all succeed Who strove against him ; ill their road I ween Who others' worth as their own loss aread. Eaimond had daughters four, and each a queen. Such high alliances for him achieved The pilgrim Borneo, of such humble mien. And yet the jealous murmurs him deceived To call unto account that steward just, Who rendered twelve for every ten received. Thence, poor and aged, he was outwards thrust. And if the world but knew his heart unflawed. The while he begged his living crust by crust. Even more than now his virtue would it laud." Line 128. The Italian story of Romeo, steward of the Count of Provence, is that being called to an account of the revenues he had carefully husbanded, he called for the mule, scrip, and staff with which he had oome to the Count as a pilgrim of St. James, and departed no one knew whence or whither.

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CANTO VII. Justinian and the other spirits disappear singing praises to God. Dante remains confused with doubt engendered by what he has heard. Beatrice for i^ir satisfaction explains the whole scheme of human redemption. Osanna Sandus Deus Sahaoth, Superillusbrans claritate tud Felices ignes horum rnalahoth: Hetuming thus unto his strain anew, a- G-ain was that substance heard by me to sing. O'er which the doubled glory double grew. A- While those fair spirits moved in mazy ring, Then lilce to swiftest sparks they sped away On a sudden in the distance vanishing. I was in doubt, and to myself did say, " Tell it, O tell it to my lady dear, Who with sweet drops my thirsting will allay." But the deep reverence, akin to fear, Which ever overcame me all, for Bice, Like one inclined to slumber bowed me here. Line 1. Osanna, Lord God of Sabaoth, illuminating with Your brightneBB the happy fires of these kingdoms, malahoth being a Hebrew word. Line 14. Dante's pet name for the lady of his love.

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CiHTO VII. PARADISE. 285 Such state allowed but briefly Beatrice, And thus began, as o'er me rayed her smile, Such that in flames to happiness 'twould reach you. " My sight infallible has seen erewhile, How just revenge can justly punished be, To doubtful thought your reason does beguile, But from this doubt your mind I soon will free : And mark me well, because these words of mine Boon of great import will present to you. Through suffering not the curb, for will benign Imposed on him, that man who ne'er was bom, Damning himself at once damned all his line : By which the human species lay forlorn For many ages in its error great. Until the Word of Q-od was pleased to adorn That place where human nature, separate From its Creator, was with him renewed, By act of love eteme regenerate. Now be my subject by your vision viewed ; This nature with its Maker joined in one ^ Such as created was sincere and good : But by itself in sooth was it outthrown From Paradise, because it turned away From God, the path of truth and life alone. Therefore that penalty the Cross did lay *^ On that assumM nature if we mark, A greater justice never did it pay : And so there never was such injury stark. If we regard the person who that doom Suffered, contracting human nature dark. ^^ Different effects from one act then did come ; Since one death pleased to G-od, and to the Jews : At it earth trembled, opened Heaven's dome. No more henceforth should you with doubt accuse, When it is told to you that vengeance just ^ By a just court was venged with rightful dues. But now I see your mind again mistrust, Shaping in thought a doubt upon this theme For whose solution it does sorely lust. You say what I hear I clearly deem, But why God chose, to me is still concealed, For our redemption this peculiar scheme. Line 20. Allading to line 90 in Jastinian's speech, where the death of Christ is called with approbation the vengeance of God s anger. Line 26. The man who ne'er was bom is Adam.